EPA Announces Three Guides for Handling Debris That May Contain PCBs, Asbestos or Mercury

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available three guides and related materials on the handling and disposal of waste that may contain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), asbestos or mercury (specifically fluorescent lamps). The first two guides focus on managing the debris caused by spills or natural disasters, specifically during the emergency response and recovery efforts.  The first guide, “Planning for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)-Containing Disaster Debris," includes the regulations that apply to damaged PCB-containing equipment (such as transformers and capacitors) and offers approaches to assess, clean up, and dispose of materials contaminated with PCBs that have been spilled or otherwise been released.  This guide supplements a prior EPA Guide “Planning for Natural Disaster Debris Guidance.”  The second guide, “Guidelines for Catastrophic Emergency Situations Involving Asbestos,” provides need-to-know information for emergency responders and addresses the cleanup and disposal of debris that may be contaminated with asbestos as well as the demolition and renovation of buildings during recovery efforts.  This version of the guide replaces the 1992 version of the same title. Lastly, EPA teamed up with the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America to produce guidance for managing and disposing of fluorescent and mercury-containing lamps and ballasts; the document is located on ALMR’s Lamp Recycling Outreach Project website.  The website contains a “What You Need to Know” section for contractors, the federal regulations, state information and a locator for recyclers.  A related one-hour training module provides information to train employees on the regulatory requirements and proper management of spent mercury-containing florescent lamps.